Report: Sunderland and Toronto agree striker swap deal

MLS side Toronto have an agreement for Jozy Altidore to join from Sunderland in a swap deal with Jermain Defoe, according Canadian news outlet TSN.

The Sun had also reported former Tottenham Hotspur, Portsmouth and West Ham star Jermain Defoe has agreed a Premier League return with strugglers Sunderland.

The former England international has spent the past 12 months contracted to MLS outfit Toronto, joining the Canadians on four-year deal after agreeing to leave Spurs following a ten-year affiliation with the club.

As per The Sun's report, the 32-year-old’s return to the English top flight is forthcoming after agreeing a big-money move to the Stadium of Light.

“Jermain Defoe has agreed a whopping £14million pay deal to return to English football with Sunderland. The Black Cats will give hitman Defoe a 3½-year contract worth £80,000 a week in the hope he can fire the goals that will secure Premier League safety,” the report states.

The Black Cats currently lie in 16th spot in the table, one point above the drop zone having won just three games all season.

Jozy Altidore had struggled to score for the club since joining two summers ago, netting only twice.

While many observers feel they have enough about them to avoid relegation to the Championship, their inability to score goals has for a while been a major cause for concern.

Tom Thorogood

I'm a 27 year old language teacher and writer based out in Mexico with a passion for football and swimming. I like to focus on the top European Leagues, especially La Liga, as well as the footballing development in Central and South America. My favourite teams include Derby County, Barcelona and Jagaures de Chiapas.